Multi-purpose suction cleaner nozzle



Dec. 19, 1961 CS1-ROM 3,013,294

MULTI-PURPOSE sUcTIoN CLEANER NozzLE Filed Deo. 4, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l1 l manning# Sg-ll" A; ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1961 E. osTRoM MULTLPURPOSE sUcTIoN CLEANER NozzLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR L//f/Lnk M ATTORNEY v Lw m \m\ 5N, SN $9, mn MN LN l@ 4. .ma E l l l l A 3,013,294 MULTI-PURIGSE SUCTION CLEANER N UZZLE Erik Ostrom, Sodra Angby, Stoclthoirn, Sweden, assgnor to Aktiebolaget Eiectrolnx, Stockhoim, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Filed Dec. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 709,704 9 Claims. (Cl. 15-373) The present invention relates to a multi-purpose nozzle for vacuum cleaners which is adapted to perform different types of cleaning operations.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a plurality of different cleaning implements which may be selectively actuated to operative position.

Another object is to provide a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle of the type indicated which may be easily and quickly adjusted to perform different types of cleaning operations by merely moving a handle from one side of the nozzle to the other.

Another object is to provide a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle of the type indicated which is mounted to swivel on its handle to facilitate movement of the handle from one side of the nozzle to the other.

Another object is to provide a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle of the type indicated having a brush which may be raised or lowered with respect to a suction head.

Another object is to provide a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle of the type indicated in which the operating parts are held in position by a detachable cover.

Still another object .of the present invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner nozzle of the type indicated which is of simple and compact construction, reliable in operation and adapted for economical manufacture.

Further objects and advantges of the invention will become more apparent as the following description pro* ceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner incorporating the novel features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the nozzle illustrated in FIGURE l and showing a brush mounted for vertical sliding movement on the elongated hollow body member of the suction head;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle partly in section and showing the brush surrounding the body member and the hollow cylinder rotated by the handle to raise and lower the brush;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the nozzle showing the cam and link connections between the ends of the hollow cylinder and the brush frame;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4 to show how the links hold the brush lowered with respect to the suction head on which it is mounted;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6 6 of FIGURE 4 to show the path of air ow through the suction head; and

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view similar to FIG- URE 5 showing the handle moved tothe other side of the nozzle to raise the brush relative to the suction head to inoperative position.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a vacuum cleaner is illustrated having a nozzle 10 with a handle 11 projecting upwardly therefrom at an angle to the surface to be cleaned. The handle 11 may be of any conventional construction and in the illustrated embodiment comprises a tubular air outlet member 12 projecting from the nozzle atent G 10, an intermediate tubular extension 13 and an outer suction hose 14 connected to the extension. It will be understood that the suction hose 14 is connected to a tank in which a partial vacuum is produced by means of a fan to cause air to flow from the surface to be cleaned through the nozzle 10 and tubular handle 11. Tubular member 12 projecting from nozzle 10 has a coupling 15 forming a socket for detachable connection with the intermediate tubular extension 13 and the extension has a coupling socket 16 at its outer end for detachable connection with the suction hose 14. As shown in FIGURE 5, the socket coupling 15 has a ring 17 and groove 18 connection with the tubular member 12 to adapt the handle 11 to swivel or turn relative to the nozzle 10 for a purpose later to be described in detail.

In accordance with the present invention, the nozzle 10 has both a suction head 19 and a brush 20 which may be selectively engaged with the surface to be cleaned by merely moving the handle 11 from one side of the nozzle to the other. The suction head 19 comprises a hollow rectangular body member having an open bottom, see FIGURE 3, with a peripheral flange 21 projecting outwardly therefrom and adapted to overlie the surface to be cleaned. Brush 20 comprises bristles 22 mounted in a series of adjacent sections around the outer edge of an open rectangular frame 23 to surround the suction head 19. The inner edge of the rectangular brush frame 23 extends inwardly to overlie the peripheral flange 21 of the suction head, see FIGURES 4 and 5. As shown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, a yoke 24 is provided adjacent each end of the brush frame 23 which bridges its central opening. Each yoke 24 has a bearing boss 25 with a vertical bore which closely ts a corresponding pin 26 projecting upwardly from the suction head 19. Thus, the brush 20 is mounted to slide vertically on the suction head 19 from a raised position above the surface to be cleaned as illustrated in FIGURE 7 to a lowered position engaging the surface to be cleaned as illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6.

The hollow rectangular body member constituting the suction head 19 is cast or otherwise formed in a single piece and has transverse walls 27 and 28 adjacent each end and a centrally located wall 29 spaced inwardly from the walls 27 and 28, see FIGURE 3. Between the transverse wall 29 and transverse walls 27 and 28, respectively, are upwardly projecting bosses 30 and 31, see FIGURES 2 and 4, forming spaced chambers and having vertical end walls 32 and 33.

As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, a centrally located metal strip 34 extends longitudinally along the open bottom of the suction head 19 and has its ends attached to the transverse walls 27 and 28 by screws 35. Strip 34 is positioned slightly below the plane of the peripheral flange 21 of the suction head 19 and is adapted to bear on the surface to be cleaned. Strip 34 is supported in its depending position by ribs 36 projecting from walls 27 and 28 and a central boss 37 depending from wall 29. By reference .to FIGURES 5 and 6, it*

will be observed that strip 34 divides the open ybottom of the suction head 19 into spaced air inlet openings 38 and 39 extending throughout the length of the nozzle and leading into the enlarged chambers formed by the upwardly projecting bosses 30 and 31.

The handle 11 is connected to a hollow cylinder 42 extending longitudinally of the suction head 19 and journaled in the end walls 32 and 33 of the bosses 30 and 31 for rotation therein, see FIGURES 3 and 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the air outlet member 12 of handle 11 has a sleeve 43 at its end which embraces the cylinder 42 in the open space 41 between the bosses 30 and 31. Air outlet member12 overlies an opening in the hollow cylinder 42 and the sleeve 43 is attached to the cylinder by'screws 44, see FIGURE 6. The ends of the sleeve 43 abut the vertical walls 32 and 33 of the bosses 31 and 30, respectively, to prevent longitudinal movement of the cylinder 42 and gaskets 45 are provided therebetween to prevent air leakage. Thus, handle 11 is adapted to rock relative to the nozzle 10 from the position illustrated in FIGURE 6 to that illustrated in FIGURE 7. Angularly related openings 46 and 47 are provided in the hollow cylinder in each chamber formed by bosses 30 and 31 to provide a path from the air inlet openings 38 and 39 into the cylinder in any angular position of handle 11. Each end of the cylinder 42 is closed by a disc 48 having a nipple projecting into the end of the cylinder and attached thereto by screws 49.

Brush 2G is raised and lowered relative to the suction head 19 by a cam and link mechanism at each end of the nozzle 16 connected between the discs or end plates 48 on the cylinder and brush frame 23. Each cam cornprises an eccentric boss 54 projecting from an end plate 4S of cylinder 42 and having a central bore S5. A link 56 is provided at each end of the nozzle 10 having pins 57 and 58 projecting from one side thereof. As shown in FIGURE 4, each link 56 has one pin 57 projecting into the bore S of eccentric bearing boss 54 in a cyinder end plate 48 and its other pin projecting into a hole 59 in the yoke 24 of brush frame 23. Thus, rotation of cylinder 42 in the suction head 19 acts through the end plates 48, links 56 and yokes 24 to raise or lower the brush relative to the suction head 19. A yielding rubber gasket 60 is mounted on the upper face of the peripheral flange 21 of the suction head 19 and extends around its entire periphery for engagement by the brush frame 23 in its lowered position.

A detachable cover 62 overlies the top of the nozzle 10 and is connected to the brush frame 23. Cover 62 is composed of a flexible plastic and has a depending flange 63 with upwardly inclined detents 64, see FIG- URES 3 and 7, which yields to adapt it to snap over the edge of the brush frame 23. Projecting inwardly from the depending flange 63 is a marginal top portion 65 which overlies the top of the brush frame 23 and a central upwardly projecting boss 66 to accommodate the bosses and 31 projecting upwardly from the suction head 19. A central transverse opening 67 also is provided in the boss 66 through which the handle 11 projects and which permits the handle to be swung from one side of the nozzle 10 to the other. It will also be observed by reference to FIGURE 4 that the end walls 68 and 69 of boss 66 on the cover 62 overlie the links 56 to hold them in position so that the laterally projecting pins 57 and 58 engage the end plates 48 of cylinder 42 and yoke 24 of the brush frame 23. One embodiment of the invention having now been described in detail, the mode of operation is explained below.

When the nozzle 10 is to be used with rough irregular surfaces that are difficult to clean, the handle 11 is turned to the position illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6. The eccentric bosses 54 on end plates 48 of cylinder 42 are then located at their lowest position and acting through the links 56 lower the brush frame 23 to engage the bristles Z2 with the surface to be cleaned. Because of the lowered position of brush 20 with respect to the suction head 19, the bottom of the latter and air inlet openings 38 and 39 are positioned above the surface to be cleaned. The relative movement of the brush 20 and suction head 19 is limited by the engagement of the brush frame 23 with the rubber gasket 60 on the peripheral flange 21 of the suction head 19 which also seals the joint therebetween to prevent dust loosened by the brush from escaping from the nozzle. The nozzle 10 is then propelled over the surface to be cleaned by the handle 11.

As the nozzle 10 is moved the bristles 22 brush the dust or dirt from cracks and crevices which is caught in the air stream flowing through the bristles to the air inlet openings 38 and 39 in the suction head 19. 'Ihe air with dirt suspended therein then flows along the air inlet openings 3S and 39 to the chambers formed by the bosses 30 and 3l, then through the openings 46 and 47 into the cylinder 42 and through the hollow handle 11 to the receptacle or tank where the dirt is separated from the air.

On the other hand, when the nozzle 1t) is to be used on surfaces which may be more easily cleaned by direct contact with the suction head 19, the handle 11 is shifted from the side of the nozzle illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 to that illustrated in FIGURE 7 to raise the brush 2G. To facilitate such shifting of the handle 11 from one side of the nozzle 10 to the other, the nozzle 10 may be turned as a unit through with respect to handle 11 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE l. Such relative turning of the nozzle 1t) and handle 11 is permitted by the ring and groove connection 17 and 18 between the coupling 1S on the air outlet tube 12 and extension member I3 of the handle 11.

As the handle 11 is shifted from the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 to that illustrated in FIGURE 7, cylinder 42 connected thereto is turned to raise the eccentrics bearing bosses 54 at its ends. The eccentrics 54 act through the links 56 and yokes 24 to raise the brush 2l) above the bottom of the suction head 19. Links 56 apply an upward force on the brush frame 23 at a continuously changing angle, 1out the brush is restrained to a vertical movement by the guide pins 26 on which it slides.

The central strip 34 at the lbottom of the suction head 19 then rests on the surface to be cleaned and holds the peripheral flange 21 raised a slight distance above the surface to insure a flow of air to the air inlet openings 38 nd 39 at high velocity. Dust and other particles to be removed are then drawn into the nozzle and conveyed away from the surface in the air strear It will now be observed that the present invention provides an improved multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle having a plurality of different cleaning implements adapted to be selectively actuated to operative position by merely moving the handle from one side of the nozzle to the other. It also will be observed that the present in vention provides a construction which permits the nozzle to turn on the handle to facilitate the shifting from one cleaning operation to another. It will still further be observed that the present invention provides a multi-purpose nozzle for a vacuum cleaner which is of simple and com pact construction, reliable in operation, economical to manufacture and one in which a detachable cover holds the parts in operative position and permits easy access to all parts of the nozzle for adjustment or repair.

While a single embodiment of the invention is herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of clements without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limitation in this respect, the invention is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A multi-purpose nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprising a hollow body `having an air ilow passage leading from an elongated inlet opening, a brush surrounding the body member,l a hollow cylinder extending longitudinally of the hollow body member and journaled therein for rotation relative thereto, a hollow T-shaped member having a sleeve communicating with the cylinder' and a tubular end projecting from said sleeve, said tubular end being angularly movable about the axis of said cylinder between several positions at each side of a vertical plane which passes through the axis and is perpendicular to a surface to be cleaned, means for mounting said brush to reciprocate on said hollow body member, end plates on said cylinder having eccentric bearings, and links connecting the eccentric bearings on said end plates and said brush for moving the latter vertically when said cylinder is rocked in said hollow body member, said eccentric bearings and links -being so constructed and arranged that said D brush is raised relative to the body member upon movement of said tubular end to one of several positions at one side or the vertical plane at an acute angle thereto and is lowered relative to the body member upon movement of said tubular end to one of several positions at the opposite side of the yvertical plane at an acute angie thereto.

2. A multi-purpose nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprising a hollow body member having an air llow passage leading from an elongated inlet opening, a brush surrounding the hollow body member and having a frame mounted on said body for movement between raised and lowered positions, a shaft extending longitudinally of the hollow body member and journaled therein for rotation relative thereto, said shaft including a hollow cylinder, a cam on said shaft, plates attached to the ends of the cylinder and having eccentrically disposed connecting means thereon to form said cam, said brush frame having connecting means, link means comprising links extending between the eccentrically disposed connecting means on the cylinder end plates and connecting means on the brush frame for vertically moving the brush relative to the body member when the cylinder is turned, and a handle attached to said shaft which is movable between several positions at each side of a vertical plane which passes through the axis of said shaft and is perpendicular to a surface to be cleaned, said cam and link means being so constructed and arranged that said brush is raised relative to the body member upon movement of said handle to one of several positions at one side of the vertical plane at an acute angle thereto and said body member is raised relative to said brush upon movement of said handle to one of several positions at the opposite side of the vertical plane at an acute angle thereto.

3. A multi-purpose suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner f in accordance with claim 2 in which the eccentric connecting means on the cylinder end plates and the connecting means on the brush frame are hollow bearings, said links having pins projecting into the hollow bearings in the cylinder end plates andy brush frame, and a detachable cover mounted on the brush frame and overlying the links to hold the links connected to the cylinder end plates and brush frame. l

4. A multi-purpose suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner in accordance with claim 2 in which the hollow cylinder has openings communicating with the elongated air inlet opening in the hollow body member, and the handle is of tubular form and communicates with the hollow cylinder to form an air outlet opening [from the nozzle.

5. A multi-purpose suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner in accordance with claim 2 in which the hollow body member is of generally rectangular form with a pair of bosses projecting from the top thereof in spaced relation, said bosses forming enlarged chambers in said body member and having end walls, said cylinder being journaled orrotation in the end Walls of said bosses, said handle being attached to and communicating with said cylinder between said bosses, and said cylinder having openings in said chambers. Y

6. A multi-purpose nozzle for a vacuum cleaner comprising a hollow body member having an air flow passage leading 'from an elongated inlet opening, the body member having upwardly projecting guide pins, a brush surrounding the body member and having a -frame mounted to slide on said guide pins, a hollow cylinder journaled in said body member, a handle pivotally connected to said body member, said handle being of tubular form having a sleeve communicating with the cylinder and attached thereto, the cylinder having openings communicating with the tubular handle and air inlet opening in the body member, respectively, end plates on the cylinder having eccentric 'bearing openings, the brush frame having bearing openings at the ends thereof, detachable links having pins projecting therefrom into the bearing openings in the end plates of the cylinder and brush frame, respectively, whereby said brush frame is raised and lowered relative to said body member upon pivotal movement of said handle, and a cover detachably connected to said brush frame, said cover having walls overlying the links to hold the links connected to the cylinder end plates and brush frame and having a central opening to permit the handle and connected cylinder to rock from one side of the nozzle to the other.

7. A nozzle for a vacuum cleaner having two parts comprising a hollow elongated suction head and a brush surrounding the suction head, said nozzle being so constructed and arranged that each of said parts is bodily movable vertically with respect to the other when said nozzle is positioned upon a surface to be cleaned, said nozzle having an air outlet tube member, means pivotally mounting said tube member on said nozzle for angular movement about a horizontal axis in opposite directions from Aan upright position in a vertical plane which passes through the horizontal aXis and is perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned, and means actuated by the angular movement of said tube member on said nozzle to raise said suction head vertically with respect to said brush and from the surface to be cleaned responsive to movement of said tube member from an upright position in one direction from the vertical plane, and to raise said brush vertically with respect to said suction head and from the surface to be cleaned responsive to movement of said tube member from an upright position in the opposite direction from the vertical plane.

8. A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner in accordance with claim 7 in which said air outlet tube member includes two parts which are angularly movable with respect to one another about the longitudinally extending axis of said tube member.

9. A multi-purpose nozzle for a vacuum cleaner having .two parts comprising a hollow body member having an air llow passage leading from an elongated inlet opening and a brush surrounding said body member and having a frame, said nozzle being so constructed and arranged that each of said parts is bodily movable vertically with respect to the other when said nozzle is positioned upon a surface to be cleaned, a handle pivotally connected to said body member, means including linkage connecting said/handle and brush frame to raise each of said parts vertically with respect -to the other and from the surface to be cleaned responsive to pivotal movement of said handle, said linkage including link elements and means for removably connecting them in the linkage, and a cover detachably connected to saidY brush frame and overlying the link elements to hold the elements in their connected positions in the linkage.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

